The Los Angeles Lakers kept Austin Reaves out of the Luka Doncic trade because he was viewed as a building block, and the franchise’s stance hasn’t changed since February 2025. The Mavericks only got Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 1st round draft pick in return for Luka. Nico Harrison wanted AD, but he certainly tried to maximize his return. Reaves instantly made the Lakers look smart, and fans should expect the franchise to re-sign him this offseason.
Reaves will decline his $14.9 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. He has vastly outplayed his contract and deserves a raise. The Lakers have the advantage of being able to offer a fifth year and more money than any other team. Reaves wants to stay, and the Lakers view him as a building block. It is all about agreeing on the right dollar figure.
Los Angeles had several opportunities to trade AR since he signed a four-year $53.8 million extension that began in 2023, but they never did. Reaves has quickly become Luka’s co-star. Doncic wants the purple and gold to keep his friend, which should give fans even more faith that a new deal gets done.
The Lakers view Austin Reaves as Luka Doncic’s co-star
Jovan Buha made it clear that the Lakers are prioritizing Reaves over LeBron James this offseason. That shouldn’t be a shock. AR is 13 years younger and just entering his prime. It leaves the 41-year-old superstar with an undesirable choice in free agency, but financial decisions get tricky for every NBA team in the second apron era.
It is why Los Angeles has to convince Reaves to take less than the max in free agency. The Lakers already have Luka locked in at 30 percent of the salary cap, and every dollar matters. Getting Reaves to take $200 million over five years instead of $241 million means adding a future Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton over a minimum player.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.5 minutes per game this season. He played like an All-Star, but injuries prevented him from earning that honor. It has been impressive to watch him go from undrafted free agent to star over the last five years. The Lakers had him on a bargain contract throughout his rise. Now, it is time to pay up.
Los Angeles faces an offseason of uncertainty. Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber join Reaves and LeBron as unrestricted free agents. Smart and Ayton have player options to sort out. The Lakers want to upgrade their roster after a second-round playoff exit, but the top priority is Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers plan on re-signing Austin Reaves to be Luka Doncic’s co-star for years to come. Dallas asked about Reaves in the Luka trade. Other teams were interested, too. The Lakers have viewed AR as a building block for years, and that hasn’t changed. He will get more expensive in free agency, but the Lakers have no plans of letting this undrafted success story walk out the door.
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